Put a Tex-Mex twist on a traditional dish

FromFamilyFeatures

The next time your loved ones crave a comforting dish that’s warming from the inside-out,turntoanall-timeclassicwitha touchofsouthernflair.

Take inspiration for this Tex-Mex Beef Lasagnafromseason3of“BBQuest:Beyond the Pit,” avideo series that dives into the long-heldtraditions,newflavorsandeveryday inspiration that make Texas barbecue legendary Developed from the show by BBQuestco-hostand“HardcoreCarnivore cookbook author Jess Pryles,this tasty take on comfort food can be the perfect solution forafamilymealwithplentyofleftovers

After dinner, settle in together and learn pitmaster techniques from the experts as the series follows four themes that capture the essence of Texas barbecue: legacy and tradition; creativity and innovation; Texas trailblazers;andfamilyandcommunity.

“SincelaunchingBBQuestfouryearsago, it’s truly remarkable to see how much has changed and yet stayed the same when it comestoTexasbarbecue,andthat’sexactly whatyouseeinseason3,”saidRachelChou, Texas Beef Council’s director of consumer marketing “There has been so much excitinginnovationaroundcookingmethodsand internationalflavorswhilethere’sstillahuge dedicationtolong-heldrecipesandsmoking techniques.”

To find more pitmaster-worthy recipes, visitBeefLovingTexans.com

Tex-Mex Beef Lasagna

Total time: 60 minutes

Servings: 10

„ 1tablespoonoliveoil

„ 1onion,diced

„ 2poundsgroundbeef

„ 2teaspoonskoshersalt

„ 1teaspoongarlicpowder

„ ½teaspooncumin

„ 2teaspoonschipotlepowder

„ ½teaspoononionpowder

„ 15ouncescannedcorn drained

„ 15ouncescannedseasonedblackbeans drained

„ 10ouncescanneddicedtomatoeswith greenchiles,drained

„ 15ouncescannedredenchiladasauce

„ 1cupMexicancremaorsourcream

„ nonstickcookingspray

„ 12corntortillas

„ 8ouncesshreddedMexicanblend cheese

„ cilantro(optional)

„ greenonions,thinlysliced(optional)

Preheatovento375F.

In large pan or skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat then add onion Cook until softened, 4-5 minutes, stirring regularly Add ground beef and cook, stirring regu- larly,untilbeefhasbrowned. Add kosher salt, garlic powder, cumin, chipotle powder and onion powder; stir well.Addcorn,blackbeansanddicedtomatoes Turn heat to medium and simmer 10 minutes Removefromheat.

In bowl, combine enchilada sauce and crema;mixwell. Spray casserole dish with nonstick cookingspray.Pourabout¼cupenchiladasauce mixtureonbottomtopreventtortillasfrom sticking.

Layer2-4tortillasacrossbottomthentop withlayerofgroundbeefmixture Useladle to spoon some enchilada sauce mixture on top, distributing evenly Top with another layer of tortillas then repeat layers until casserole is full, 3-4 layers Top with shreddedcheese.

Loosely coverdish withfoil in tent shape to help prevent cheese from sticking then bake30minutes Remove foil and bake 10-15 minutes until cheeseisbubblyandgoldenbrown.

Cool 5 minutes before serving. Top with cilantroandgreenonions,ifdesired.

DoD releases policies to ensure access to non-covered reproductive health care

FromDefense.gov

On October 20 2022, the Secretary of Defense released a memorandum “Ensuring Access to Reproductive Health Care, directing the Department to take a series of actions to ensure Service members and theirfamiliesareabletoaccessnon-covered reproductive health care. These policies reinforcetheSecretaryofDefense’scommitment to taking care of our people, ensuring their health and well-being, and ensuring theForceremainsreadyandresilient.

On Feb. 16 2023 the Department of Defense has released the directed policies on command notification of pregnancy, administrative absence for non-covered reproductive health care, and travel allowancesfornon-coveredreproductivehealth care.Thesepolicieswillbeeffectivewithin 30 days from today to allow the Military Departmentstimetoimplementandincorporate these policies into their Service regulations, and to allow time for Service specific guidance to be developed.

The policy on command notification of pregnancy provides Service members the time and flexibility to make private health care decisions while accounting for the responsibility placed on commanders to meetoperationalrequirementsandprotect the health and safety of those in their care. This policy standardizes and extends the timeframe for Service members to inform their commanders about a pregnancy, generally allowing Service members until upto20weeksofpregnancytonotifytheir commanders of their pregnancy status, with limited exceptions to account for specificmilitaryduties,occupationalhealth hazards, and medical conditions

The policy for administrative absence for non-covered reproductive health care provides Service members the ability to request an administrative absence from theirnormaldutystationtoaccessnon-cov- ered reproductive health care without being charged leave Service members may be granted an administrative absence to access or to accompany a dual-military spouse or a dependent to access non-covered reproductive health care.

Travel and transportation allowances may be authorized for Service members anddependentstotraveltoaccessnon-covered reproductive health care. Travel and transportation allowances may be authorized when access to non-covered reproductivehealthcareservicesisnotavailable within the local area of the member’s permanent duty station, temporary duty location,orthelastlocationthedependent was transported on Government orders Thenon-coveredreproductivehealthcare is at the Service member’s expense Our Service members and their families do not control where they are stationed, and due to the nature of military service, arefrequentlyrequiredtotravelormoveto meetoperationalrequirements

Theefforts takenbytheDepartmenttodaywillnotonly ensure that Service members and their families are afforded time and flexibility to make private health care decisions but will also ensure Service members are able toaccessnon-coveredreproductivehealth careregardlessofwheretheyarestationed.

For more information on the Department’s actions on non-covered reproductive health care, visit: www.health.mil/ EnsuringAccesstoReproductiveHealth.

For comprehensive information and resources related to women’s and gender-specific care, information about reproductivehealth,andinformationabout the full range of contraception methods, and TRICARE benefits for contraceptive services, visit: https://health.mil/MIlitary-Health-Topics/Womens-Health.